Chapter Forty-Three: The Discussion

Seeing that the man had been injured, Ye Sansi withdrew his hand as well.

Ling Shuang rushed over, pulling the man back and exclaiming, “Father, what are you doing? My friend came all this way, and even if you don’t want to host him, you shouldn’t resort to fighting! It’s so rude. And you didn’t just fight—you got hurt. How embarrassing!”

Taiyi hurried over too, bowed deeply, and said, “So it’s Uncle Liu Zhen. Taiyi greets you respectfully.”

“Hahaha, so you’re the virtuous nephew Taiyi! I’ve heard Shuang’er speak of you for a long time. And I have to say, seeing you here today, you truly have the bearing of your father.”

Ye Sansi realized he’d caused trouble by injuring Ling Shuang’s father. He stood there awkwardly, scratching his head in silence.

Liu Zhen smiled at Ye Sansi and asked, “Young Master Sansi, is something the matter?”

“No, no, Uncle Liu, I didn’t know it was you. Your palm was clearly restrained, but I didn’t notice at the time and countered with all my strength, injuring you. I’m truly ashamed.”

Liu Zhen laughed and came closer, grabbing Sansi and slinging an arm over his shoulder. “Think nothing of it. This is a minor injury, just a few hours’ rest and I’ll be fine. Honestly, your Five Venoms Palm is exceptionally well-trained. Are you a disciple of the Tang Clan’s Cloud Generation?”

“Father, haven’t I told you? Sansi grew up on Mount Buyun, how could he be a disciple of the Tang Clan? And besides, the Tang Clan has already dispersed, where would there be disciples now?”

The elder from earlier also came over, smiling. “Zhen’er, Shuang’er is right. The disaster that befell the Tang Clan is a wound on the whole world. Let’s not dwell on it. I imagine Young Master Sansi must have had his own fate that led him to master the Tang Clan’s secret arts.”

Liu Zhen chuckled, “Alright, Second Uncle, I was being nosy.”

“Second Uncle?” Taiyi suddenly realized, turned to the elder and bowed, “So you are the Second Elder. Taiyi pays his respects.”

The elder stroked his beard and laughed, “What formality is this? Just now Zhen’er said you resembled your father, but now I see you don’t at all.”

“Second Elder, why do you say that?”

“Fei’er, that rascal, never paid us respect. When he was young, he’d come play with Zhen’er and always sneak peeks at the five of us practicing martial arts. I imagine your father mastered most of our Liu Family’s orthodox skills.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and laughed, “It seems my elder brother and I are much alike, both fond of martial arts.”

Liu Zhen asked, “Elder brother? You mean Qifei?”

“Yes, is something wrong?”

Liu Zhen burst out laughing, “Nothing, nothing at all. Ling Shuang, the generations are all mixed up now!”

Ling Shuang blushed furiously at her father’s words, stifling her laughter and biting her lip. “Father, what’s with all this talk of generations? Sansi is our friend. Taiyi calls him brother, you call Taiyi nephew, so Sansi is your junior. What’s the problem?”

The Second Elder and Liu Zhen laughed heartily, making Ling Shuang even more embarrassed; she turned away, muttering to herself.

Liu Zhen, still with his arm around Ye Sansi, grinned, “Virtuous nephew Sansi, why not come with me to the guest hall? Let’s have a good talk, and you can tell me how you came by the Five Venoms Palm. I’m truly curious.”

After the two left, Taiyi nudged Ling Shuang with his elbow, exchanging a glance and smiling, “Ling Shuang, you know, those two really are like brothers.”

“Hmph, Taiyi, you’re so annoying. I’m ignoring you. Nian’er, let’s go learn embroidery.”

With the girls gone, only the Second Elder and Taiyi remained in the martial arts ground.

The Second Elder gazed into the distance and spoke slowly, “Though your father was mischievous in his youth, I was very fond of him. I once thought of taking him as a disciple, but he was too free-spirited for the Liu Fortress, so I never brought it up. Now I regret it. Taiyi, would you be willing to take me as your master?”

“This…”

“What is it? Unwilling? Among the five elders of the Liu Family, only my eldest brother surpasses me in martial arts, but he is stubborn and unapproachable. I’m not like that. Once you master the skills, you’re free to go as you please. Just remember, out in the world, if you call yourself my disciple, I’ll be content.”

“Second Elder, that’s not what I meant. You’re a transcendent master; becoming your disciple would be the fortune of three lifetimes. It’s just, I promised Brother Sansi to always stay by his side and mustn’t go back on my word. I cannot remain here to serve or defend Liu Fortress.”

“Whether you call me Elder or Master, that’s up to you.”

Hearing this, Taiyi was deeply moved. He knew the Second Elder was a peerless master, yet he valued a junior so highly. Taiyi knelt down and called out, “Master!” He kowtowed three times, formally becoming a disciple.

Liu Mu laughed heartily and, after Taiyi finished, hurried to help him up. “Good disciple! From now on, you are my pupil. Tomorrow, I will teach you the orthodox internal arts of the Liu Family. As for the demon plague outside Lingzhou City, I have affairs to tend to. While I’m gone, study on your own. If you have questions, wait for my return.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good. Taiyi, now come to the guest hall and chat with your Senior Brother Liu Zhen. Get to know the rules of Liu Fortress.”

“Yes.”

Taiyi entered the guest hall, where Sansi and Liu Zhen were still talking, and found a seat.

Sansi had just finished recounting how he came to learn the Five Venoms Palm.

Liu Zhen sighed, “Ah, those poor children. They’ve grown up, yet they don’t even know their ancestors were from the Tang Clan, that they themselves are its true heirs.”

Ye Sansi asked, “Uncle Liu, are you saying Xiao Ye’s real name should be Tang Ye? What actually happened? From what you’ve said, the Tang Clan must have once been mighty. How did it come to this?”

“It’s a long story. Over ten years ago, the Tang Clan fell victim to King Wei of Qingjianxi—no, he wasn’t yet called that then, he was the Ironclad General. The Tang Clan was attacked by thousands of his armored soldiers in a night raid, suffering heavy casualties. Only a handful escaped. Old Tang was among them, fleeing with his child, who was just days old at the time.”

“And then? Did Uncle Tang survive?”

“Later, news of Old Tang’s death spread. That old fellow must have hated the Ironclad General bitterly. Unable to kill him and avenge his fallen kin, he entrusted his child and set out for vengeance, but…”

Taiyi slammed the table in anger, “It must have been King Wei’s treachery that killed Uncle Tang! Otherwise, with Tang Clan’s mastery of poison, he could have destroyed tens of thousands of his men. The ironclad troops would have stood no chance!”

“Virtuous nephew Taiyi, don’t underestimate King Wei. His Ironclad Army is impervious to blades and immune to all poisons. Without absolute certainty, one mustn’t provoke them.”

Taiyi grinned, “Uncle Liu, you needn’t worry. My brother Sansi and I are more than a match for those ironclads—Sansi once slew thirty of them alone.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head, frowning. “Uncle Liu, could it be that King Wei has kept something in reserve?”

“Exactly, Virtuous Nephew Sansi. The ironclads you encountered are merely guards for city security. The true Ironclad Army—any one of them could give me a run for my money.”

Taiyi was so startled his teacup trembled in his hand, but curiosity got the better of him. “Uncle Liu, how many of these true ironclads are there?”

“The exact number isn’t clear, but no less than two thousand.”

“Wha—what? Two thousand? That’s terrifying! But why haven’t we seen any?”

Liu Zhen sipped his tea, frowning. “You’re not the only one. My spies have only ever seen ten ironclads, always close to King Wei. The rest are hidden. King Wei is cunning—he fears that gathering the ironclads together would make them easy prey for the Sword Immortal Sect. That’s why he keeps them concealed. We don’t dare move against him, lest he order their release upon his death and they massacre the people. That would be another calamity.”

Ye Sansi rose, furious. “Outrageous! King Wei is so cruel, yet no one can rid us of him. Aren’t there many immortals in the world? Why don’t they help mortals and destroy this monster? Sometimes I wonder—what is the point of becoming immortal? Does ascension truly mean safeguarding the world? Yet King Wei does as he pleases and no immortal intervenes for the people’s sake.”

Liu Zhen was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. “Virtuous nephew Sansi, you mustn’t think like that. There may be many immortals, but they have their own affairs. We mortals have our world; immortals and gods have theirs. They, too, have disasters to face and things to protect. In our world there are earthbound immortals and sects who fight demons; there are heroes who fight villains. Each has their role, and that’s how peace is maintained.”

Ye Sansi found reason in these words and sat down, bowing respectfully. “Uncle Liu, you’re right. I was too rash, and shouldn’t have spoken ill of immortals. If they don’t intervene in mortal affairs, then I will! When I learn the immortal arts, I won’t ascend—I’ll stay and rid the world of evil, bringing true peace.”

“Hahaha! Excellent, truly excellent. Virtuous nephew Sansi, you have such ambition—Uncle Liu supports you! And you’re not alone; Liu Fortress will do the same. But before we act, we must have a flawless plan and never act rashly.”

Taiyi grinned, “Uncle Liu, rest assured. Sansi’s strategies are unfathomable—I’ve never guessed how he comes up with them.”

Liu Zhen finished his tea, refilled his cup, and asked, “I’ve heard from Ling Shuang that you’ve had quite the adventures, but I don’t know what happened after you parted ways. Taiyi, why don’t you recount it for me?”

…

Two hours later…

The three of them had emptied their cups, and Liu Zhen had listened to Sansi’s stories, except for the journey to the Demon Realm.

Liu Zhen couldn’t help but exclaim, “Who would have thought, Virtuous Nephew Sansi, that you’d even be acquainted with members of the Sword Immortal Sect? That’s a rare fortune. The sect is supreme in our world—if they moved against King Wei, even if the ironclads all rose up, they could quell them easily. As to why they haven’t acted, there must be a reason.”

Taiyi leaned forward and asked quietly, “Are you saying the Sword Immortal Sect could easily destroy the Ironclad Army?”

“It’s not an exaggeration. In this world, the Sword Immortal Sect is all-powerful. Not only this petty king—even the emperor must heed their commands.”

Li Taiyi laughed, “My father used to say the Sword Immortal Sect was omnipotent. I thought it was just legend, but hearing you say so, Uncle Liu, they’re even mightier than the stories tell.”

Liu Zhen stroked his beard, glanced outside at the sun, and stood. “Gentlemen, it’s getting late. Let’s go to the dining hall for a meal. Afterward, I’ll have Shuang’er take you around Lingzhou City. Just remember to return before sunset—don’t linger in the streets.”

The three entered the dining hall and saw Liu Mu, Ling Shuang, and Nian’er already there.

Ling Shuang stuck out her tongue, making a mischievous face. “We’ve been waiting forever! Dad, you’re always the first to arrive for meals, never late—what happened today?”

“Hahaha, I was drinking tea and chatting with my two virtuous nephews. Time slipped away.”

Liu Mu laughed, “Zhen’er, from now on you mustn’t call Taiyi nephew. I just took him as my disciple—he’s now your junior brother, so you must look after him.”

With everyone present, the dishes were served.

Liu Zhen sat down, laughing. “Second Uncle, you’re something else. I’m sworn brothers with Qifei, and now you’ve taken Taiyi as your disciple. Generations are getting hard to sort!”

Ye Sansi said, “What’s the trouble? Generations and reputations are just like drifting clouds. Call them what you will.”

Liu Mu and Liu Zhen admired Sansi’s straightforwardness and laughed, nodding in agreement.

Taiyi chimed in, “Brother Sansi is right. My father and Sansi are sworn brothers, so I should call him Uncle Ye. But Sansi doesn’t care for such formalities and still treats me as a brother. What does it matter?”

“Hahaha, well said!” Liu Zhen laughed, raising his wine bowl and sipping. “Who would have guessed that at such a young age, you’d see through centuries of rigid etiquette. I’m ashamed. If I’d had such insight back then…”

He stopped, eyes reddening, and wiped them secretly. After a pause, he laughed again. “Ah, it’s all in the past. Enough about that. You can call me whatever you like. I won’t fuss over generations. Come, let’s drink and eat!”